How Jude Bellingham’s ‘special relationship’ with Real Madrid star came about

‘He’s the best player in the world’ Jude Bellingham told the ecstatic Real Madrid fans at the Madrid City Hall on Sunday, as they luxuriated in the sun and their title win. ‘He is the best’ responded Vinicius Junior, arm in arm with Real Madrid’s revelation this season.

The two could well be on the podium together depending on how the next few months go, and both will have made great contributions to the other’s cause. Their strong relationship started before Bellingham joined Los Blancos, as Vinicius spoke often with him in his final months at Borussia Dortmund, persuading him to join the side.

Shortly after arriving in the Spanish capital, Vinicius and his family invited Bellingham and his mother to their house, helping them to settle in with advice on where to live, how best to spend time in Madrid and tips on life in the city in general, which was appreciated by the Englishman as per Relevo. Since, they have become close friends, with the pair having dinner together often, and the Brazilian introducing Bellingham to the best spots and restaurants in Madrid.

Bellingham invited Vinicius and his friends to London earlier in the year, and he acted as host too, further strengthening their relationship. Bellingham is now just another part of a group that tends to spend time together off the pitch, which includes Vinicius, Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

The pair certainly seem to be building success on the pitch on their relationship off it. It has been noted by all just how quickly Bellingham settled in Spain, integrating well in the dressing room, but also hitting the ground running on the pitch. It was his goals that got them through some tricky spells in the first half of the season. It seems Vinicius had a part to play in that.